Lesson Plan: Research and Tennessees Leaders

Teacher Candidate: Lauren Martin Date: October 2, 2014

Grade and Topic: Grade 4 Social Studies Length of Lesson: 6 weekly 60 min sessions
Mentor Teacher: Ms. Murdock and Ms. Phillips School: University of Memphis IDT 7061

LESSON GENERALIZATION/BIG IDEA:
The library curriculum reinforces skills taught in the classroom. In this project students, working in
teams of two, will research Tennessee leaders and create PowerPoint presentations on these leaders.

LESSON OBJECTIVE:
Students will identify the accomplishments of notable Tennessee individuals such as William Blount,
John Sevier and others
Students will use and discern appropriate reference sources in various formats
Students will use current technology as a research and communication tool for research and personal
interest

STANDARDS ADDRESSED:
Content Standard 4.5.spi.2. Identify major Tennessee political leaders (i.e. Andrew Jackson, Sam
Houston, James Polk, Sequoyia, David Crockett, Nancy Ward, Andrew Johnson).
Content Standard 4.5.spi.10. Recognize the accomplishments that John Sevier contributed to Tennessee
history (i.e. State of Franklins one and only governor, Tennessees first governor, United States
congressman, soldier).
Content Standard 4.5.tpi.5. Design a picture book showing famous Tennesseans and describe their
accomplishments. This will be modified to PowerPoint presentations.
Content Standard 4.1.spi.23. Select sources from which to gather information on a given topic.
Content Standard 4.1.tpi.24. Use library media sources to access information (i.e. encyclopedias,
Internet, electronic catalog).
Content Standard 4.2.spi.8. Identify the most reliable sources of information for preparing a report.
ISTE Standard 4.7 Critical thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making- conceptualize, guide, and
manage individual or group learning projects using digital planning tools with teacher support
ISTE Standard 6.7 Technology operations and Concepts - conceptualize, guide, and manage individual
or group learning projects using digital planning tools with teacher support
ISTE Standard 3 Research and Information Fluency

MATERIALS:
Microsoft PowerPoint
Data Collection/Think Sheet Handout
Famous Tennessean Research Project Handout
Computer Functions and Data Manipulation: Internet and Microsoft PowerPoint; Students will enter the
data onto their handout and create a PowerPoint presentation from the information
Example handout and PowerPoint included with lesson plan
The Internet
Set of Encyclopedias, computers, books, to include, but not limited to:
1. Bausum, A. (2005). Our Countrys Presidents. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic.
2. Behrman, C. H. (2005). Andrew Jackson. New York: Lerner Publications.
3. Benedict, M. L. (1999). The Impeachment and trial of Andrew Johnson. New York: Norton.
4. Davis, K. C. (2002). The Presidents. New York: Harper Collins.
5. Gaines, A. (2002). Andrew Jackson: Our Seventh President. New York: Childs World.
6. Gibson, C. (2001). A Pictorial History of the U.S. Presidents. New York: Gramercy Books.
7. Harper, J. E. (2002). Andrew Johnson: Our Seventeenth President. New York: Childs World.
8. Pascoe. E. (1996). First Facts about the Presidents. New York: Blackbirch Press.
9. Rubel, D. (2005). Scholastic Encyclopedia of the Presidents and Their Times. New York: Scholastic
Reference.
10. Somervil, B. A. (2004). James K. Polk. New York: Compass Point Books.

BACKGROUND and RATIONALE:
The key concepts for this lesson are notable Tennessee individuals, PowerPoint presentation, data
collection, research, reference sources
Critical academic language is primary source, encyclopedia, communication tools
This lesson connects with and builds on other lessons by reinforcing curriculum already taught in the
classroom and is reinforcement for TCAP
This lesson will be built on by the further exploring the accomplishments of Tennessee leaders and
evaluating their importance on a national level
Differentiated activities or assessments will need to be planned to reinforce learning as well as to
identify areas of deficiency for different students
Digital presentations are used in this lesson to reinforce current technology as a research and
communication tool for research and personal interest

PROCEDURES AND TIMELINE:
Problem Statement: Imagine that you are going to a family reunion and your mother tells you that one
of your cousins has married a Japanese girl who has never been to the United States before. You decide
that in order to help welcome her to the family you want to share some information with her about your
home state of Tennessee. So of course you enlist the help of a friend in doing some research about a
famous Tennessee individual using a research guide your teacher at school just gave you. How
convenient! From your research create a PowerPoint presentation to show to your new family member.
Procedures:
Teacher activities before the lesson:
Teacher will have:
1. Reviewed with students the names of Tennessee leaders and listed them on a chart
2. Divided the class into teams of two
3. Chosen a Tennessean for each group
4. Provided students with prompts for the names of Tennesseans if they have forgotten. If
students forget some leaders, list them
5. Provided students with their project goals:
a. Step 1: research the Tennessean they are given
b. Step 2: create a PowerPoint presentation on the Tennessean using the handout as a
guideline
6. Created an example of a PowerPoint presentation
7. Created a handout to assist the students with their research
8. Opened the PowerPoint template on the computer
Student Computer Activities
Activities to be completed:
1. Prior to going to the computer, students will be divided into teams of two and given a notable
Tennessean to research.
2. Using the Internet and Encyclopedias, students will research their famous Tennessean and fill
in their handout
3. Each team will then use the information to create the PowerPoint from a Blank Presentation.
4. There should be a minimum of seven slides
5. Vary background colors and font
6. Include at least one important picture of your character
For each activity, include directions you may need to give or key questions you intend to ask,
possible alternatives to the activity, or examples.
Describe how you will differentiate for students with different learning needs or backgrounds.
If technology is being used, identify a rotation plan and supporting activities.
Closure: To close the lesson, each group will present their PowerPoint presentation to the class. Teacher
will then summarize the leaders and the key concepts, listing the Tennessean researched by each group
and their main points on the board. Teacher will allow time for questions

ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE:
Each group will present their PowerPoint for teacher evaluation and feedback from the class
Rubric attached
MODIFICATIONS:
Students who struggled to complete the exercise will be placed in groups with students who were master
level: Accomplished for the enrichment activities. Students who struggled with the paper column graph
will be allowed to sit with peers with successfully completed the paper column graph for the computer
portion.
As an enrichment activity, students will work on a graphing activity from their math textbook.
As an additional enrichment activity, students may come to class the following day dressed as their
favorite character signifying their favorite holiday